Cut this out when nursing

Q: I’m going to be a grandmother soon! My entire family believes in natural health, and we all take our daily supplements. Are there any my daughter should stop taking while she’s nursing?

Dr. Wright: Nursing or soon-to-be-nursing mothers should certainly be taking supplements, especially folic acid, calcium/magnesium, a high quality multiple vitamin- mineral, and iron. There is one nutrient, however, that does need to be limited for new moms: Even “medium-high” quantities of vitamin B6 could suppress prolactin secretion. Prolactin is the principal pituitary hormone that stimulates milk formation in nursing mothers. Even though this fact was documented years ago, it still isn’t as well known as it should be.

Your daughter should check to be sure that her total intake of vitamin B6 (including pyridoxine and pyridoxal phosphate) isn’t higher than 25 milligrams a day. The lowest amount necessary to “shut off” prolactin is likely 50 milligrams daily or more — but there’s no point in risking a problem.